Is there a way to search for an item and exclude stock photos from my search?

[mld1966]

I don't want to buy any items from sellers who post stock photos.  Is there a way to exclude stock photos? I don't see an option listed but I thought that I would ask "The Community" as someone smarter than me may have found a way to exclude 'stock photos' when searching. Thank you!

[jacbarcollectibles]

Unfortunately that is not an option that eBay has implemented.  So there is no way to exclude a listing with stock photos

[gosimus · Accepted solution]

@mld1966 

< I don't want to buy any items from sellers who post stock photos >    

eBay's policy is that sellers can use stock photos only with new items.  If they're selling a non-new item, they're supposed to take their own pictures of the specific item.  I can't testify that all sellers actually observe this rule.  https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/listing-policies/picture-policy?id=4370   

[mld1966]

Thank you, Jacbar Collectibles, for the response. I wished that my eyes were deceiving me but alas they are not. I hope that this is an option that eBay can consider implementing in the future. 

[mld1966]

Thank you, Gosimus! I wasn't aware of this policy. I am only looking for new items but I will certainly start paying attention when I am seeking a used item. 

[inceptions]

Hi @mld1966 

Sellers of new items are often given access to stock photos from the manufacturer to use in their listings. There is nothing wrong with using these for new items. Also, eBay has a background removal tool that makes photos taken by sellers look like stock photos so often, you would have no idea who took the photo. 

[mld1966]

My only issue with this policy is that one seller had a stock photo of a "stereo" record but the bar code was for a Mono copy. When I asked what they were selling, they said that the item was in the warehouse and they can't check it. So, the seller recommended that I purchase and send back if it's not the correct item.  I don't have time to look at every seller with a stock photo. So, it's best for me to avoid sellers with a stock photo. 

[inceptions]

@mld1966 

A seller can have a mismatch between the item description and photo whether the photo is one the seller took or a stock photo (for example the seller may have had the record in mono and stereo at one point - regardless, there is a mistake in the listing).

But the seller's response to you was unacceptable.